Distinguishing between Cellulitis and Flexor Tenosynovitis

Show Notes

Take Home Points

• Think about flexor tenosynovitis in a patient with atraumatic finger pain.  They may have any combination of these signs:
  • Tenderness along the course of the flexor tendon
  • Symmetrical swelling of the finger – often called the sausage digit
  • Pain on passive extension of the finger and
  • Patient holds the finger in a flex position at rest for increased comfort
• Give antibiotics to cover staph, strep and possibly gram negatives.
• Get your surgeon to see the patient, while we can get the antibiotics started, these patients need admission and may require surgical intervention.

Infographic

by Dr. Y. Jay Lin

Read More

Mailhot T, Lyn ET: Hand; in Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al (eds): Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice, ed 8. St. Louis, Mosby, Inc., 2010, (Ch) 50: p 534-571

OrthoBullets: Pyogenic Flexor Tenosynovitis

Ped EMMorsels: Flexor Tenosynovitis